PetCoverPro

Waggel pet insurance review

By the PetCoverPro editorial team Vet-reviewed by Dr Avron Taitz, BVSc

Last updated

4.3
PetCoverPro score

Verdict

Waggel is one of the most genuinely modern UK pet insurers: a single Lifetime plan, app-first claims, member perks that include behaviour-training credits, and AXIS Specialty underwriting. Vet-fee limits go up to £15,000 per year and dental and behavioural cover are included. The drawbacks are a smaller team than the heritage brands, lighter phone support, and a shorter renewals track record. Strong fit for owners who want a slick experience and lifestyle perks alongside their cover.

Get a quote at Waggel →

At a glance

Founded
2018
Underwriter
AXIS Specialty Europe SE
Cover style
Lifetime (Lifetime)
Vet-fee limit
Up to £15,000 per year
Excess from
From £99
Dental cover
Yes
Behavioural cover
Yes
Mobile app
Yes
Direct vet payment
Yes
Multi-pet discount
10% off each additional pet
Max new-policy age
8 years for dogs, 10 years for cats

Limits change. Always confirm current figures on the Waggel website before buying.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • + Single transparent Lifetime plan
  • + App-first claims and policy management
  • + Member perks include behaviour training credits and brand discounts
  • + Underwritten by AXIS Specialty

Cons

  • − Smaller team than mainstream insurers
  • − Phone support is limited
  • − Newer renewals track record than heritage brands

The full review

Who Waggel is

Waggel launched in 2018 as part of the modern wave of UK pet insurance brands aimed at younger owners, alongside ManyPets and (later) Napo. Underwriting sits with AXIS Specialty Europe SE, an established speciality insurer. Waggel is the brand and policy administrator and runs the app, claims and member perks programme.

The pitch is straightforward: one Lifetime plan, an app-first experience, and a layer of member perks that traditional insurers do not offer. The perks are not the policy \u2014 the cover stands or falls on its own \u2014 but they materially add to the perceived value, especially for first-time pet owners.

What you actually get

A single Lifetime plan with selectable vet-fee limit (up to £15,000 per year) and excess. Dental illness cover, behavioural treatment prescribed by a vet, and complementary therapies are included subject to the IPID terms. Member perks layer on top: behaviour-training credits, brand discounts, wellness services.

The single-plan model is genuinely useful for first-time buyers who would otherwise be paralysed by tier choice. The trade-off is no flexibility to step down to a cheaper accident-only or time-limited tier if budget gets tight later.

Claims experience

Claims are filed through the app: upload the invoice, the clinical notes, and Waggel\u2019s in-house team takes over. Direct vet payment is available at participating UK practices. Independent reviews on Trustpilot have been strong since launch, with the standard caveat that any insurer\u2019s long-running chronic-claim track record only fully emerges over a longer renewals cycle.

Pricing

Waggel is competitive against the modern app-first peers. The included extras (dental, behaviour, member perks) close the gap with brands that charge for those add-ons separately. Premiums climb at renewal as your pet ages.

Customer service

The service model is digital-first: app messaging, chat, email. Phone support is light. The team is small enough that the customer experience tends to feel personal rather than corporate. For owners who value that, it is a positive; for owners who want a 24-hour contact centre, ManyPets or a heritage brand will feel more solid.

Veterinary perspective

"Waggel\u2019s claims process is one of the smoother ones at the practice end. The behaviour-training credit is an actually useful perk for first-time dog owners, who often need a behaviourist long before they need a serious vet bill. Worth a serious look for the right owner."

Dr Avron Taitz, BVSc, veterinary advisor, PetCoverPro

Who Waggel is best for

  • +Owners who value member perks like behaviour-training credits and brand discounts on top of the policy.
  • +App-first households who want a single transparent plan rather than tier shopping.
  • +Younger owners who want a modern brand and digital experience throughout.
  • +Multi-pet households who want a 10% discount per additional pet.

Who should look elsewhere

  • ×Phone-first owners may prefer Petplan, John Lewis or Tesco.
  • ×Owners of senior pets taking out a first lifetime policy should look at Agria or Petplan — no upper age cap.
  • ×Strict-budget households can find lower entry prices at Animal Friends.

Frequently asked questions

Who underwrites Waggel?
AXIS Specialty Europe SE underwrites Waggel policies. Waggel is the brand and policy administrator, runs the app and customer experience, and handles claims through its in-house team.

What are the Waggel member perks worth?
Perks include behaviour-training credits, brand discounts on pet products, and access to selected wellness services. The exact perks change — check the current member benefits on Waggel’s site. They are extras on top of the cover, not in place of it.

Is Waggel new enough to be a risk?
Waggel launched in 2018, which makes it more established than some of the very newest entrants but newer than heritage brands like Petplan. AXIS Specialty as the underwriter is well-established. The honest caveat with any newer pet insurer is that the test of long-running chronic claim handling shows up at year four and beyond.

Does Waggel pay the vet directly?
Yes, at participating UK practices. Where the practice is signed up Waggel can settle the bill direct so you only pay the excess.

Ready to get a Waggel quote?

Takes about 2 minutes. Your premium is the same whether you go via us or direct.

Get a quote at Waggel →

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.